Gateway Series #4: Gentleman Jack

In the spirit of fairness, we follow up our Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 review with the next in the Jack Daniel’s line. If you remember, we started our Gateway Series with Jim Beam White Label and Jim Beam Black Label.

Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey
40% ABV (80 proof), about $30
Available in most US markets (not sure about abroad)

What the distillery says:
Just like Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Gentleman Jack in Charcoal Mellowed before going into the barrel. Gentleman Jack, however, receives an additional “blessing” when it is Charcoal Mellowed again after reaching maturity – making it the only whiskey in the world to be Charcoal Mellowed twice, giving it ultimate smoothness. Gentleman Jack is full-bodied with fruit and spices, and its finish is silky, warm, and pleasant. When you drink Gentleman Jack, you’ll always enjoy rich, rewarding taste.

What Richard Says:Nose: Honeysuckle and a lot of honey. It’s a much more delicate nose than the standard Jack Daniels expression.Palate: Tart candy, a lot of honey, and vanilla. It is even smoother and more mellow that Jack Daniels Black Label. It also has a more viscous mouthfeel.Finish: Exceptionally smooth finish. Almost none of the spice of regular Jack but more of that odd tartness.Comments: Gentleman Jack is Jack Daniels smoking a huge blunt. It just doesn’t get more mellow. That’s good and bad. On the good side it really doesn’t get any smoother and easier to drink that Gentleman Jack. The downside is that there aren’t many pronounced flavors to bring me back for a second glass.Rating: Average

What Matt Says:Nose: Honeysuckle and hummingbird food (sugar water). Delicate and floral, like spring in Tennessee.Palate: Smooth and slightly oily. Oak, vanilla, spice, and something that curls my tongue a little at the sides. I don’t taste a tartness as much as I experience it.Finish: Very smooth with very little burn.Comments: Probably the smoothest “gateway” whiskey in the American whiskey bracket. It lacks the complexity of similarly priced (but harder to find) bourbons. I would drink this before Jim Beam Black though. It is an interesting science experiment. Gentleman Jack is produced and matured in the exact same manner as Old No. 7, but is filtered again after maturation. It really smooths out the rough edges. I’ve got a soft spot in my heart for Gentleman Jack. I’m not sure why. I could drink it anytime. What it lacks in complexity is what makes it accessible as an everyday dram. That said, I don’t keep it stocked in my bar, but I wouldn’t say no to glass if offered.Rating: Average